I stayed in a hotel with Android lightswitches and it was as bad as you'd think • Hacker News Board

Re: I stayed in a hotel with Android lightswitches and it was as bad as you'd think

#31

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Mar 11, 2016, 3:12 PM UTC

ericzawo wrote: post #27

dcexqm wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Under pressure in an interview, yesterday, I found myself saying "'The Internet of Things' is short for 'The Internet of Things you don't need, sending surveillance data you don't want, to people you don't know.'"

Maybe they'll appreciate your honesty?

[deleted]

Re: I stayed in a hotel with Android lightswitches and it was as bad as you'd think

#32

Post by ajmurmann » Fri, Mar 11, 2016, 3:12 PM UTC

Navarr wrote: post #10

binarymax wrote: post #3

I feel like I'm missing out on a huge bulk of money simply because when I have ideas of "Internet of Things", I cant get over the security obstacles and cancel the ideas. If only I just didn't care (or didnt know) and just implemented whatever the heck brought in money from oblivious customers.

Wouldn't the way to go about this be: Create an MVP (w/out much security) - get funding for the MVP, hire security experts, get over the obstacles?

I wonder if the competition wouldn't just skip the security, then beat you on the price because you are paying lots of money for security experts. Most customers don't care about/understand security and your company fails.

Re: I stayed in a hotel with Android lightswitches and it was as bad as you'd think

#33

Post by thoughtsimple » Fri, Mar 11, 2016, 3:13 PM UTC

I'm amused by the use of Modbus. I worked on Modbus networking back in the 1980's at Modicon (a company that disappeared long ago that created the "standard"). Using a protocol invented before the internet to control devices on a semi-public network is insane.

The original Modbus was designed to communicate with factory devices controlled by logic controllers over serial and eventually over a custom token ring network. Modbus got moved to TCP at some point when I stopped paying attention. Modicon rejected TCP when I was there because the OSI model 7 layer network stack was going to be the next big thing.

Re: I stayed in a hotel with Android lightswitches and it was as bad as you'd think

#34

Post by johannes1234321 » Fri, Mar 11, 2016, 3:13 PM UTC

eloff wrote: post #5

Turning lights on at 3 a.m. is a nuisance. Knowing when lights go on and off can tell you when the people are not in their room - which could help if you wanted to break in and steal their stuff. Overall quite disconcerting how lax they are with security.

Well, if lights (and the article mentioned TV) repeatedly goes on at 3 a.m. this ca give quite bad reputation to the hotel. A few bad ratings hat reservation sites can have a notable impact on the business.

Re: I stayed in a hotel with Android lightswitches and it was as bad as you'd think

#35

Post by chippy » Fri, Mar 11, 2016, 3:15 PM UTC

gberger wrote: post #21

GotAnyMegadeth wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And the microphone

And the GPS

Except they a) know where the room is anyhow and b) GPS doesn't tend to work very well indoors

Re: I stayed in a hotel with Android lightswitches and it was as bad as you'd think

#36

Post by theklub » Fri, Mar 11, 2016, 3:15 PM UTC

binarymax wrote: post #3

I feel like I'm missing out on a huge bulk of money simply because when I have ideas of "Internet of Things", I cant get over the security obstacles and cancel the ideas. If only I just didn't care (or didnt know) and just implemented whatever the heck brought in money from oblivious customers.

Good point, seems like places get sold products that are smoke and mirrors. If they knew what was going on in the background they would be shocked. Best plan is to build up a big customer base with a smoke and mirror product and then sell out and hope you don't get sued.

Re: I stayed in a hotel with Android lightswitches and it was as bad as you'd think

#37

Post by nly » Fri, Mar 11, 2016, 3:16 PM UTC

elorant wrote: post #11

binarymax wrote: post #3

I feel like I'm missing out on a huge bulk of money simply because when I have ideas of "Internet of Things", I cant get over the security obstacles and cancel the ideas. If only I just didn't care (or didnt know) and just implemented whatever the heck brought in money from oblivious customers.

Or you could just implement them as-is, earn a shitload of money and then enhance their security in the next version or with a firmware update once you'll have the luxury of investing in R&D. At least it's better if a security-wary entrepreneur implements them instead of someone who simply doesn't give a flying fuck.

Did you keep a straight face while you suggested that people actually upgrade firmware?

Re: I stayed in a hotel with Android lightswitches and it was as bad as you'd think

#38

Post by z3t4 » Fri, Mar 11, 2016, 3:18 PM UTC

Or you could just kick the door in - and turn the lights on. Then write "HACKED" on the wall with a spray painter. (sarcasm)

Re: I stayed in a hotel with Android lightswitches and it was as bad as you'd think

#39

Post by redcalx » Fri, Mar 11, 2016, 3:18 PM UTC

liveoneggs wrote: post #2

prepare to be arrested for various violations as a punishment for pointing out these obvious and dangerous flaws.

Hacker!!

Re: I stayed in a hotel with Android lightswitches and it was as bad as you'd think

#40

Post by marcospri » Fri, Mar 11, 2016, 3:19 PM UTC

chippy wrote: post #35

gberger wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And the GPS

Except they a) know where the room is anyhow and b) GPS doesn't tend to work very well indoors

And the Joke Sensor